Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:30 Issue: 142, Sep-Oct 2022

 In recent years, the use of nanoparticles (NPs), especially gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in radiotherapy, has been repeatedly studied by in-vitro, in-vivo experiments, and Monte Carlo simulation. Some studies declare that specific absorption of GNPs (with a higher atomic number) by cancerous cells increases radiations’ lethal effect compared to normal cells. This review article aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing effect of GNPs in cancer radiotherapy.

 Research databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus were examined from December 2019. All Gold Nanoparticles Radiation Therapy (GNRT) articles that studied the radiosensitization of gold nanoparticles in radiotherapy were involved in the assessment. Among 706 chosen articles, 52 documents were included in this investigation.

 The results of all these studies indicate that an increase in tumor mortality happens due to higher radiation absorption by nanoparticles entering the tumor; however, the relationship between the interaction of radiant energy and the size of gold nanoparticles is controversial.

 This review article will discuss recent advances in the development of gold-based NPs to improve radiotherapy.

 Fear of falling, balance, and environmental hazards are viewed as significant psychological and physical components in seniors. This systematic review was carried out to review psychometric properties of psychological and physical fall outcome measures in Persian older adults.

 The databases were searched using the COSMIN guideline recommendation search strategy and filters. A systematic search was undertaken utilizing the PubMed, Scopus, Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO, ProQuest, Cochrane library, Web of Science, Pedro, SID, CIVILICA, Magiran, MEDLIB, IranDoc, and IranMedex, from 1971 to June 2021. A further hand search for grey literature was carried out through Google Scholar to detect papers that were not captured in electronic records.

 Of the initial 1268 studies, 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. Eight psychological and 12 physical assessment tools were validated for Persian older adults. The constructs studied were structural validity, internal consistency, and hypothesis testing that were based on reliable methodology with superb quality. In contrast, content validity was either doubtful or not reported. Neither of the studies that were included examined cross-cultural adaptation and responsiveness. The overall quality of the psychometric properties of each measurement tool has a broad range of inconsistencies (from high to low).

 As psychometric data proved inconsistency and conflict for the majority of studies, only provisional judgments may be established. Psychometric features for assessment instruments are clearly partial or lacking, limiting rationale for use in clinical settings or research until more psychometric information is provided.

 Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) includes the administration of sedative/dissociative medications with or without the concomitant delivery of analgesic agents. The bispectral index system (BIS) is a modern technology for neurophysiological monitoring that continuously analyzes the patient’s electroencephalogram curve during sedation to assess the level of consciousness. This study aimed to compare various PSA protocols, including propofol/fentanyl, propofol/ketamine, and ketamine, based on the BIS and other critical items in adults with anterior shoulder dislocation (ASD) in the emergency department.

 This randomized three-group double-blinded clinical trial was conducted on 150 patients with ASD in Besat General Hospital in Tehran, Iran. The sample size was determined at 50 individuals in each group receiving propofol/fentanyl (group A), propofol/ketamine (ketofol; group B), and ketamine (group C). Before PSA, the sensor of the BIS monitor was attached to the patient, and several items were compared, including the side effects and duration of sedation, as well as BIS values before and 1-5 min after PSA.

 Visual analogue scale scores before and after the intervention were obtained at 8.1±0.69 and 2.08±0.7, respectively. The BIS values at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th min after PSA were not different in the three groups. The comparison between the three groups regarding the patients’ satisfaction showed that there was a significant difference between them (P=0.02), which was higher in the ketofol group.

 The investigation of PSA using propofol/ketamine, ketamine, and propofol/fentanyl showed similar frequencies of BIS values and adverse respiratory events. The use of propofol/fentanyl was associated with a slightly higher incidence of hypotension. Moreover, the frequency of patient satisfaction was higher among the subjects in group B, compared to those in the other groups.

 Clinical and Radiologic Degenerative Spondylolisthesis (CARDS) classification is a relatively newer system than Meyerding’s to better categorize lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of surgery in patients with different types of LDS based on CARDS classification.

 In this retrospective study, we assessed 49 (38 female and 11 male) patients with refractory L4-L5 LDS undergoing decompression, reduction and instrumented fusion in Imam Reza Hospital of Mashhad from February 2015 to January. Patients' classification, disability, and pain were assessed based on CARDS classification, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and visual analogue scale (VAS). Finally, a statistical analysis was performed to find out any correlation between different types of the disease and their clinical improvement.

 The mean follow-up period was 40.5±6.8 months (26 -72 months). Type B had the highest prevalence, and A had the lowest. Type C had the highest body mass index. Surgery could significantly improve both pain and disability in all types of the disease; however, we could not find any significant difference between the types in response to the surgery (p-value > 0.477). Gender distribution was similar among the types, but body mass index was the highest in type C.

 Although all types of refractory L4-L5 LDS benefit from the operation, this improvement is not different among the types. It seems here, like other areas of the spine, that no significant relationship exists between the clinical and radiological characteristics.

 Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most painful, and disabling oral inflammatory conditions caused by chemotherapy. This study aimed to determine the pomegranate seed oil (PSO) effect on improving chemotherapy-induced mucositis.

 This single-blind, randomized, clinical trial recruited patients with chemotherapy-induced mucositis in the oncology ward of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran, in 2018 (n = 70). Patients were divided into two groups by randomized block design. The control group was treated with 15 ml of routine mouthwash 4 times daily for 14 days. The intervention group was treated with mixed solution of routine mouthwash and PSO (50:50). The mucositis severity was evaluated on the 1st, 7th and 14th days after the intervention using a checklist for assessing the mucositis severity. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact, independent t and repeated measures ANOVA tests.

 The subjects’ mean ages in the intervention and control groups were 57.48±14.742 and 58.81±14.134 years, respectively. Groups were matched for clinical and demographic characteristics (P>0.05). The mean mucositis severity in the intervention group decreased from 1.97 on the 1st day to 0.52 on the 7th day and to 0.03 on the 14th day (P<0.001). The rates of mucositis severity in the control group were 1.98, 1.47 and 0.63, respectively on these days (P<0.001).

 The mouthwash containing PSO improved chemotherapy-induced mucositis further than the routine mouthwash. Therefore, PSO can be used along with routine medicinal solutions to relieve and prevent oral mucositis symptoms.

 Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection badly affects the liver and represents a critical health problem in Egypt. The parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, or amebiasis were highly distributed among Egyptian citizens and affect the liver status in various ways. Co-infections of these parasites with HCV are pos sible and accompanied by negative clinical consequences. The current study shed the light on the incidence of Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica, and Schistosoma infections among the HCV patients from Menoufia Province, Egypt.

 One hundred and eighty HCV infected patients were examined for T. gondii, E. histolytica, and Schistosoma using ELISA or indirect haemagglutination test, and fecal examination was done to detect the E. histolytica cyst stage or Schistosoma mansoni ova.

 Overall incidence of T. gondii IgG and IgM was 65% and 3.89%, respectively. Moreover, the incidence of E. histolytica, and Schistosoma mansoni was (50% and 21.67) and (42.22% and 1.67%), using serological means and stool examination, respectively. Multiple parasitic infections (T. gondii and E. histolytica), (T. gondii and Schistosoma), (E. histolytica, and Schistosoma), and (T. gondii, E. histolytica, and Schistosoma) were 22.78%, 16.67%, 10.56%, and 10.56%, using serological means, respectively, among HCV-infected patients. Significant differences were demonstrated in the incidence of T. gondii, E. histolytica, and Schistosoma among HCV patients based on age, gender, and residence.

 T. gondii, E. histolytica, and Schistosoma mono- or multiple infections highly exist among HCV patients from Menoufia Province, Egypt.

 There are variable results regarding lipid profile status in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). We aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum lipids and RDS in preterm infants.

 This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on preterm infants admitted to Hamadan Fatemieh and Besat Hospitals between the years 2018-2019. Each infant was evaluated regarding RDS severity, serum lipid profile, ventilator use, and length of hospital stay. SPSS 16 was utilized to analyze the data at a 95% confidence interval.

 Out of 294 neonates, 51% were male. The mean birth weight and gestational age were 1783.51 ±551.86 grams and 32.37 ± 2.46 weeks, respectively.  Based on the severity of RDS, 9.1% were mild, 41.8% moderate and 49.1% were severe. In severe RDS, mean triglyceride, cholesterol and LDL were significantly higher and HDL lower than in mild RDS (P <0.001).

 In preterm infants with RDS, there is a significant relationship between serum lipid profile and severity of RDS, and also there is a significant correlation between serum lipid profile and birth weight and gestational age of neonates.

 hypertension is one of the most common global health problems and the leading cause of premature mortality worldwide. This study aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristic and the spatial-temporal variations of the admission rate of hypertension in Zanjan province, Iran, during 2014-2019.

 Data were obtained from nine health information system (HIS) databases. Univariate chi-square and T-test methods were used to test the hypothesis, and binary logistic regression was used to model the probability of admission due to hypertension.

 Sixty-eight thousand eight hundred forty-three patients have been hospitalized due to cardiovascular diseases in Zanjan province, Iran, and 5931 cases had hypertension. The admission rate of hypertension was 555 cases per 100,000 which were higher in women than in males (755 cases vs. 357) (P<0.001). The highest admission rate of hypertension was detected in the age group over 80 and in Khoramdareh county, Zanjan province, Iran (P<0.001). The probability of admission due to hypertension was increased by aging in all regions, which was higher among women and in the Southeast study area.

 This study shows the high admission rate of hypertension in Zanjan province, Iran, from 2014-2019. It is a warning to policymakers and local health authorities to increase their efforts to reduce the incidence of hypertension by identifying the principal main risk factors and applying periodic screening programs in high-risk, high areas.

 Individuals with opioid use disorder are a marginalized population in any society. They commonly have a weaker immune system, greater stress vulnerability, poorer health, more high-risk behaviors, and less access to healthcare services compared to the general population, which can expose them to a risk of severe COVID-19 complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of opioid use disorder on mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2.

 This registry-based retrospective cohort study was conducted on 2362 consecutive inpatients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 between March 5, 2020 and March 21, 2021, presenting to a university hospital in Ilam in the southwest of Iran. Forty-five patients with opioid use disorder were identified in this study and matched to 100 patients without opium addiction. All patients with a history of opium addiction were included in the study group, and age- and sex-matched patients without opioid use disorder were randomly recruited as the controls. After adjusting for the effects of age and comorbidities, data were analyzed in STATA version 10, using logistic regression models.

 The mortality of patients with opioid use disorder increased following COVID-19 (adjusted OR: 6.59; 95% CI: 1.84–23.59; P=0.004). Hypertension (adjusted OR: 8.17; 95% CI: 2.21–30.15; P=0.002) and advancing age (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01–1.11; P=0.01) were significantly associated with increased COVID-19 mortality.

 Based on the present findings, opioid use disorder is a possible risk factor for mortality following COVID-19. The findings of the present study can be applied in the implementation of preventive measures and policies and prioritization of COVID-19 vaccination. However, further relevant research is recommended.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the head and neck are rare vascular benign anomalies but may become lethal when persistent and progressive. It occurs when a fetal capillary bed fails to fully involute, allowing direct connection between arteries and veins. They can also happen as a result of trauma or a hormonal changes. Clinically along with swelling, they are associated with signs of warmth, palpable thrill or bruit. Management of the lesion is challenging and follows a multimodal laser therapy approach followed by embolization and surgical resection. Complete excision is required as incomplete excision leads to recurrence. A detailed clinical background combined with imaging generally clearly delineates the lesion and allows for a careful therapeutic option. A case report of a post-traumatic/acquired AVM on the upper lip is presented in this report which was diagnosed on contrast tomography Angiogram and MRI in a 7year old female and treated with intra-lesional corticosteroids followed by surgical excision.

Despite extensive preventive efforts and access to effective drugs and vaccines, tuberculosis still remains an important health problem around the world. Tuberculosis bacteria can infect the gastrointestinal tract through the primary foci of infection in the lungs via the mesenteric lymph nodes or directly through the blood or lymph. Due to non-specific clinical symptoms, early peritonitis is diagnosed with a delay. The lack of specific biological and radiographic markers and the long history of bacterial culture make the diagnosis of peritonitis difficult. In this study, two cases of abdominal involvement with clinical symptoms of acute abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and severe weight loss were reported.

Synchronized evidence of bilateral ovarian masses with an asymptomatic  incidental appendiceal solitary mass is an unusual  event during  operation.  The main differential diagnosis in this status  is metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary to appendix  versus  metastatic mucinous neoplasm of appendix  in both side ovaries. Herein, i present a  metastatic bilateral ovarian high grade serous carcinoma to the appendix as  a diagnosis pitfall. A 43-year-old woman, with menstrual irregularity was referred. Imaging studies  showed bilateral ovarian masses. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo oophorectomy , omentectomy,  pelvic lymph nodes dissection and appendectomy.  Final diagnosis, according to histopathological and immunohistochemical findings was metastatic bilateral ovarian high grade serous carcinoma of the appendix. These tumor markers may be useful for final diagnosis because tumoral tissue expression of them is not 100%. Therefore usage of several of them in correlation with histopathology findings, definitely helpful.